Ipswich continues to evolve towards world city status

The new look Ipswich CBD’s $150m investment

Ipswich residents have been given their latest look at how a $150m rejuvenation of Ipswich Central will breath new life into the city’s centre with the release of an updated master plan.

The eight-hectare project will feature a promenade of water fountains, an outdoor events space with a stage, a riverfront bar and a dining area.

It will also include a collection of fresh and vibrant urban precincts for retail, dining, entertainment and open spaces, creating an active and dynamic 24/7 destination.

Footpath and alfresco bars, cafes and restaurants are planned for Union Place, offering a variety of food and wine options, from take away burgers to upmarket fine diners.

Ipswich’s proud history will be reflected in the iconic Murphy’s Pub which is being restored to its former 1910 glory, even adopting its original name – The Commonwealth Hotel.

A modern, glass-fronted 3,400 square metre new city library will front the main civic promenade offering a range of free and family-friendly services and activities.

More than 10,000 square metres has been devoted to open, public space in Ipswich Central with shaded seating areas and cooling features including a water curtain and sculptural water steps, providing residents, workers and visitors with an outdoor area for relaxation, events and activities.

A raft of new fashion stores and retail outlets will be housed throughout the new city centre, offering an extension to what is already on offer at Riverlink Shopping Centre, and a riverside bar and covered timber deck area will be located on the northern end of the site.

Ipswich City Properties chairman Cr Paul Tully said more than 19,000 square metres of leasable commercial, retail, entertainment and food and beverage space had been created in Ipswich Central to service the population surge, with Ipswich expected to excel 400,000 by 2031.

“Our new city centre could not come at a better time with our population expected to double in the next decade and the $5 billion Rheinmetall Defence contract recently awarded by the Federal Government set to trigger an influx of workers to the region,” Cr Tully said.

“Ipswich Central also includes plans for a new Ipswich City Council administration building that will bring 800 workers into the city centre every day by 2020, creating a ready-made customer base for surrounding businesses.

“Ipswich Central will revitalise our city centre by bringing people back into the CBD at night time and offering them a place to bring their families for relaxation and recreation on the weekends.

“Once again, we will have a view towards the Bremer River from Brisbane Street, creating a more connected city centre where people can move seamlessly between the train station, Ipswich Central and River Heart Parklands.”

Cr Tully said the car park would remain in Ipswich Central, offering more than 1,100 spaces.

Work began last year on the Ipswich Central site, bounded by Bell, Brisbane, Bremer and Ellenborough Streets.

The demolition phase of work, which began in March, is expected to be completed by June with construction planned to commence soon afterwards.

Property Update

Strong Population Growth is placing increased demand on the supply of new dwellings in Ipswich

An annual increase of 8,688 new residents arrived in Ipswich and growth this strong is expected to continue well into the future where in the past 3 months alone 2340 new people joined our growing community

Ipswich City Council

Council’s Planning and Development September Quarterly Activity Report found strong activity in subdivisions.

New lots were created at Spring Mountain (231 lots) and South Ripley (178 lots), but the hottest spots for new lots approved were Colllingwood Park (442 lots) and Springfield (406 lots).

Council approved 1144 new residential lots for the September 2017 quarter. In comparison, 468 lots were approved in the September 2012 quarter.

Developers such as Lendlease and Peet are at the forefront of Ipswich’s growth. They are building new estates in key suburbs.

Peet’s Eden’s Crossing in Redbank Plains is one of southeast Queensland’s fastest selling residential developments. The 120ha masterplanned community will deliver up to 1200 homes within the next seven years.

Lendlease’s Fernbrooke Ridge estate at Redbank Plains will be home to about 2000 people on completion. The community at Springfield Lakes will be 30,000 residents strong by the time it is completed around 2020. And the nearby Springfield Rise (pictured at top of page) is anticipated to become home to 12,000 people.

Lendlease Communities managing director Matthew Wallace said the business was proud of the benchmark it had set.

“The vision for Springfield Rise at Spring Mountain is to create a community where residents have great access to great facilities right on their doorstep,” he said.

“As a result, Springfield Rise at Spring Mountain will be a connected, village-like atmosphere that supports social interaction, sport and recreation, retail, education and business.

“Our success lies in the enjoyment experienced by residents, visitors and workers in the communities we create and the ability to establish a community that is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable for generations to come.”

Green Building Council of Australia chief executive officer Romily Madew praised Lendlease for its commitment to sustainability.

“Their innovative approach to engaging the community on the important issue of safety around construction sites is to be particularly commended,” Ms Madew said.

“The idea of partnering with local school students to produce artwork that reinforces the safety message and affixing it to construction fencing is a terrific example of fresh thinking that can deliver highly effective results.

At the Council meeting Councillor David Morrison said Redbank Plains had seen the strongest population growth of any Ipswich suburb for a number of quarters, and the corridor demanded efficient and reliable transport infrastructure.

Mayor Andrew Antoniolli said the Planning and Development quarterly report flags that Ipswich does need an increased investment in infrastructure and a state commitment to that rail line was essential.

Lendlease’s Springfield Rise at Spring Mountain has been awarded a 5 Star Green Star – Communities v1.1 certified rating, representing Australian excellence in sustainable precincts from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

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